Graphic Designer

paulscottondesign

35 Years Experience

Marbella, ES

Male, 53

I have been in the graphic design industry since 1981 working in London, Los Angeles & Spain. My career started in the traditional way on a drawing board, using Rotoring Pens, Magic Markers, Pantone Pens & Letraset working as a Designer/Visualiser/Artworker. My design career has taken me through the music, toy, t-shirt, packaging & print industry. I am now a freelance graphic designer (British) based in Spain with many clients worldwide ...now using Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign on a Mac.

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Is an eye for good design something you're born with, or do you think it's a skill that you can develop with practice?

Asked by Pauline2 over 6 years ago

That I don't know ...I was told that I was very creative from when I was a young infant, so I guess I was born with it. I have had students work with me that just cannot be creative no matter how hard they tried ...but I also know people that are not in this field and are very creative. So I think it has to be in your blood and you must have a passion for design to do well in this industry. There is a lot of competition out there ...but there are also a lot of people that call themselves designers but not up to scratch and need a lot more practice. I am lucky to have started before computers were around so know how to be creative on and off the computer, but nowadays a lot of students leaving college having only been taught on the computer and wouldnt know what to do with a pencil and paper which is sad really.

What's a reasonable hourly rate for an experienced graphic designer? And how much can a graphic designer make in a year?

Asked by Fleischer over 6 years ago

That varies from around the world. For example freelance rates for a designer in London are very high ..but in a country like India they are very low.
I used to charge between 40 and 50 euros an hour ...but now charge per project ...then any extras on top of the project I charge by the hour. Clients prefer to hear a project price rather than by the hour so it gives them a better idea on their budget.
Again, yearly wages for a designer can vary around the world. In London a good designer working for a reasonable design agency can earn anything up to £30,000 to £40,000 a year ...depending on the quality of the clients the agency has. Freelancers can earn a lot more ...again depending on the quality of the clients.

So you wanna be a Graphic Designer?

Do graphic designers typically charge by the hour, or by the project?

Asked by Jessamine over 6 years ago

It depends on the job itself ...I used to charge by the hour and many designers still do. But now, personally, I give an estimate on the project based on their brief stating that after the work is done if they ask for major changes that was not in the original brief the price will go up according to how much work is involved ...that tends to make sure the client gives a precise brief at the start. But as for by the hour or per project, that is down to each individual designer ...everyone has their own way of working.

You mentioned the need for clear client briefs. What happens in the situation where a client believes he's briefed you correctly, and you've produced the wrong design? Do you charge him additionally to fix it, or do you acknowledge the mistake and fix at no additional charge?

Asked by sizzlin over 6 years ago

Ah, haaaa ...I beat you to it and answered that in the above question!

My brother's avideographer and swears that anyone not using a Mac for design work is an idiot. Do graphic designers NEED a Mac, or have PCs closed the gap?

Asked by MinNguen over 6 years ago

I agree to a point ...but wouldnt go far as calling them an idiot as it is down to preference of the designer. I have always used a Mac since they came onto the market. I once did use Photoshop and InDesign on a clients PC before ...but even though the software was the same the PC made it difficult to use ...everything looked different the keyboard shortcuts I use all the time did not work the same and the colour calibration of the screen was all wrong. Macs are built for design work they are far more versatile and easier to use in this field and nowadays the news macs can be run as a PC and a Mac, you can partition the hard drive to run both Mac and PC software ...but I havent on mine ...no need for me. I recommend all potential designers to use a Mac. But if you are going to do HTML and coding too I have always been told that a PC is better ...but I couldnt say if that is true or not. I do design websites but only as Photoshop PSD files and collaborate with webmasters on the tech side of things.
But as for your question, I dont think PCs will ever close the gap in the design world, Mac will always be the leader in that field ...so listen to your brother.

What websites would you recommend for sourcing high-quality, affordable freelance graphic design work?

Asked by mistersmith over 6 years ago

Most sites like this you have to compete against many other designers all over the world and its pretty tough as many bid ridiculously low prices (mainly from India) and win the bidding. But you can search through projects on this website... http://99designs.com and submit designs without having to bid for it as the price is already set. And if your design is chosen you win the set price and maybe get more work from the client too. Its a good way to build up your portfolio even if your design does not get chosen. But I tend to advertise myself on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc and go to as many local networking events as possible with a load of business cards in my hand ...and if there are no local networking groups ...well there is your chance to organise one and be first in line for all the businesses that require design work. I get all my work from networking and social networking ...and I am always busy.